Even in times of austerity, London's West End theatres are packing them in

Before last summer’s London Olympics, there were dire warnings about their impact on the West End theatre. Fears that venues would be half empty led to some performances being axed and the Games certainly did affect some audiences in the short term. But forecasts of a bloodbath proved misplaced and, in the event, theatre owners and producers had nothing to worry about. The London theatre scene is more vibrant then ever, generating more than £500 million last year from an increase – albeit a marginal one – in ticket sales. True, the West End makes a good deal of its money from blockbuster musical shows. But audiences are also flocking to new plays, including American productions put on in London first before going to Broadway. It is testament to the hard work of managers and producers that even in times of austerity the theatres are still thriving.